Genesis 49:13-21

These verses contain Jacob’s shorter blessings on the other sons except Joseph and Benjamin, whose blessings follow these.

"True to the poetic qualities of the text, the images of the destiny of the remaining sons are, in most cases, based on a wordplay of the son’s name. The central theme uniting each image is that of prosperity." [Note: Ibid.]

Zebulun (Genesis 49:13) later obtained territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. This was a thriving commercial area, though Zebulun may never have had permanent "waterfront property." It is possible, however, that Zebulun and Issachar shared some territory (cf. Deuteronomy 33:18-19), so Zebulun could have bordered the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps the men of Zebulun worked for the Phoenicians in their maritime trade (cf. Deuteronomy 33:19). Zebulun will extend to the sea in the Millennium when its borders will reach as far as Sidon on the Mediterranean coast (cf. Ezekiel 48:1-8; Ezekiel 48:23-27). An important caravan route from Mesopotamia to Egypt passed through his territory.

Issachar (Genesis 49:14-15) would prefer an agricultural way of life and what it produced rather than political supremacy among the tribes. Lower Galilee, including the valley of Jezreel, which Issachar obtained, was a pleasant and productive farming area. [Note: See Joel D. Heck, "Issachar: Slave or Freeman? [Genesis 49:14-15]," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 29:4 (December 1986):385-96.]

Dan (Genesis 49:16-18) would be a judge in Israel. This prophecy came to reality partially during Samson’s judgeship. Dan’s victories benefited all Israel. Yet this tribe led Israel into idolatry (Judges 18) and was therefore similar to a serpent (Genesis 49:17; cf. Genesis 3:1). Jacob asked Yahweh to deliver his other descendants from Dan’s influence in the future (Genesis 49:18).

"Jacob’s heartfelt aside in 18 is enigmatic: it could arise from a father’s prayer, like Abraham’s for Ishmael (Genesis 17:18), or possibly from the sudden memory of his own treachery, long renounced, called up by the acts and the words (heel[s], 17, 19) associated with his own name." [Note: Kidner, p. 220.]

Gad (Genesis 49:19) would also be effective in battle.

Asher (Genesis 49:20) would enjoy very fruitful soil, namely, the lowlands of the Carmel (lit. vineyard) range north along the Mediterranean coast. This area contained some of the most fertile land in Canaan.

Naphtali (Genesis 49:21) evidently would enjoy the admiration and appreciation of the other tribes in a special way (cf. Judges 4, 5). Jacob could have meant that Naphtali would exchange his freedom for a more sedentary domesticated lifestyle in the land, or that he would accommodate to the Canaanites. [Note: Wenham, Genesis 16-50, p. 483.]